Small Shifts in 2021

Sophie Lazarus, PhD, has the following suggestions for entering the new year:

Shift your perspective – It is easy to get caught up in what is wrong in our lives and miss what is positive or going well. Starting your day by reminding yourself of the good things in your life can help you keep a more balanced outlook in the face of the day’s challenges.

Unplug - Mindless scrolling on social media can increase stress and anxiety. Put the phone and computer aside and take a walk, cook a meal, or ask your family about their day.

Be kind to yourself – It is easy to be overly critical of ourselves right now which only increases stress and makes things worse. Pause to take a deep breath, a bubble bath, a nap, whatever you need that day to help you remember that you are important too. Just take care of yourself.

Dr Lazarus is a clinical psychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.